Today is my last day at analyticsMD.
It’s bittersweet.
14 months ago, I joined this healthcare tech startup to build something great.
I learned a ton, especially early on. I got to work on a bunch of things cross-functionally and jumped at the chance to fill needs as they came up. I saw the team grow from just seven people to now around 25.
More than anything, I learned so much about how a company gets built, and how hard it is to actually do successfully.
It’s been quite the ride- the ups and downs and everything in between. It’s truly been a blast.
But now it’s time for me to move on.
I’ll really miss this place though. In a certain way it’ll always be my baby.
This year, I am boycotting the NFL.
This means no Sunday football-watching sprees, no fantasy football leagues, no daily focus on professional football news.
I chose to do this because I have been frustrated by the league’s inaction on issues like domestic abuse and concussions. They are all about money and I didn’t want to be a part of that any more.
And it’s been great!
My Sundays are now free. It’s been amazing to have an extra day each week to do things other than watch football.
I’ve had some time to think about what happened last Tuesday, when Donald Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States.
Some good reads I’ve come across:
- How Half Of America Lost Its F**king Mind
- Dear White Friends: Stop Saying Everything Is Going To Be Ok
- It’s Going to Be Okay
I’m still trying to digest and understand. I know my perspective isn’t the only one out there and I’m trying to understand from others’ perspectives. I know sometimes I can be stuck in my own bubble.
On election night, I was so mad and sad. When the voting results started coming in and all of the momentum shifted Trump’s way, I shed a few tears. I couldn’t believe what was happening.
I had been so excited in the morning, celebrating a friend’s birthday, and envisioning what seemed inevitable, the election of Hillary Clinton as our first female President. It would have been historic and inspirational and a triumph for us as a society.
But Trump won. I guess this is where we are as a country. The racism, sexism, xenophobia, and hate won this election.
It’s disheartening to read letters written by first-grade students to Donald Trump. The person that they are supposed to look up to is someone who gives them pause and might even scare them. But those children inspire me. Their thoughtfulness and caring give me hope.
We can’t rewind and replay the election. We can only move forward from here.
I truly do believe that love trumps hate, and that we as a society will relentlessly fight to make that true.
As Hil said in her concession speech, we can “never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it. It is. It is worth it.”
We gotta keep fighting the good fight.
Yesterday, I ran the San Francisco Marathon!
About three months ago, I set my goal and trained hard. It finally paid off yesterday.
I almost didn’t survive the build up haha.
After building my mileage, I tapered my training a few weeks before the race. While my legs were resting, my mind raced. I kept wondering if I would “hit a wall” during the race and not finish.
The day before the marathon, I was as nervous as I’ve ever been. Tried carbo-loading some of that anxiety away.
But when the day came, I was ready. Got up at 4am, settled down, and made it down to the starting line.
The sun hadn’t even risen yet, which felt pretty weird.
It was exciting to be among all the other runners though, all getting ready to take on a huge challenge together. There’s something about the runner community and spirit that is really inspiring.
At this point, the jitters were gone, and it was time to go.
At the beginning of the race, I started slower and warmed up, and then settled into a good, strong pace. I clocked in well after the first half marathon, and felt good.
That part of the course was very hilly though and I think it took it’s toll later on.
Around mile 17 or 18, I could feel my legs fading. At mile 20, I sort of hit that wall I dreaded and struggled hard. At mile 23, I think I hit an even harder wall. Those last three miles caused me to miss my goal time by a few minutes, but I’m glad I willed my legs to keep churning.
Many times during the race, the thought of stopping and walking popped into my head. Four hours is a lot of time to think. I fought through it though and kept on to the finish.
When I got to the finishing stretch, I muscled up my last energy, smiled a huge smile, and sprinted to the line. That was one of my happiest moments ever – seeing the finish and knowing what I was just about to accomplish.
After finishing, I immediately went into a daze, got light headed, and saw stars.
I was mentally and physically exhausted, and even passed out on the sidewalk for a short while after finding some friends.
But being tired couldn’t hide my smile. I did it! Joined the 26.2 club :)
